6 Tips on How to Monetize your Mobile Game [2022]

Introduction to Monetizing Mobile Games

This section introduces the topic of monetization for indie game developers and highlights the importance of making monetization a part of the creative design process.

Understanding Monetization for Indie Game Developers

• Monetization is crucial for indie game developers to survive in the competitive mobile market.

• Unity's 2022 gaming report shows that games without ads experience a drop in retention, while games with ads have higher long-term retention.

• The best strategy is to make monetization a part of the creative design process and give it as much thought as the core game loop itself.

Fundamentals of Monetization for Mobile Game Devs

This section provides tips on how to approach building a sustainable business through effective monetization strategies.

Tips for Monetizing Your Mobile Game

• Tip #1: Don't reinvent the wheel. Learn from successful studios and developers who have already achieved great success in monetizing their games. Platforms like GDC (Game Developers Conference) and YouTube offer informative talks from industry experts.

• Watch Anthony Pekarella's talk on idle games mechanics and monetization.

• Evan Losey discusses time systems designed for mobile free-to-play games.

• Ethan Levy shares insights on designing in-game purchases.

• Explore Ethan Levy's website famousaspect.com for more resources on monetization.

• Use services like Apptopia or Sensor Tower to analyze games in your category and study their ad placements and economy tuning.

• Tip #2: Stick to your genre. Find other games similar to yours and study their successful monetization strategies. Different genres may require different approaches, such as in-app purchases for games with long play sessions or interstitial ads for games with short play sessions.

Conclusion and Additional Resources

This section concludes the video and provides additional resources for further game development discussions and learning.

Final Thoughts and Resources

• Monetization is essential for indie game developers to sustain their business in the mobile market.

• Don't be afraid to learn from successful studios and developers who have already achieved monetization success.

• Filter your information by focusing on what works for your genre and model your game after similar successful games.

• Join communities like GDC, watch informative talks on YouTube, and utilize services like Apptopia or Sensor Tower to analyze competitors' strategies.

• Check the video description for a link to join Ask Gamedev's Discord server for further game development discussions.

• Follow Ask Gamedev on major social networks for fresh content on game development.

This summary focuses on the key points mentioned in the transcript.

Monetization Strategies for Hyper-Casual Games

In this section, the speaker discusses monetization strategies for hyper-casual games and how to engage users effectively.

Implementing Different Types of Ads

• Very long publishers with hyper-casual titles often use various types of ads at the beginning of the user journey.

• Common ad formats include banners, native ads, interstitial ads, and occasionally reward videos.

• It is important to test and iterate on different options to find what works best for your game.

Teaching Users about Monetization Models

• It is crucial to teach players about any new monetization models you implement in your game.

• User experience (UX) design plays a significant role in teaching users how to navigate the game's interface.

• Conduct genre and audience research to understand if your users are familiar with the chosen monetization model.

Resources for UX Design and Inspiration

• UX Collective is a blog that offers case studies and articles from UX experts on implementing advertising monetization without compromising user experience.

• Mosley Magazine provides visual inspiration for building interfaces and UX design. It covers topics like mobile app design tips, menu inspiration, and onboarding techniques.

Avoiding Pay-to-Win Mechanics

This section focuses on designing monetization strategies that do not make players feel forced to spend money in order to progress in the game.

Designing Non-Pay-to-Win Monetization

• Players should be able to play through the entire game without feeling compelled to spend money.

• Unity suggests three strategies: bundling specific content at special prices, setting up decoys to make main bundles more attractive, and offering anchor deals where base items are bundled with other objects at the same price as standalone items.

Importance of User Experience

• Creating boundaries that force players to pay can lead to negative player experiences.

• Use ads and in-app purchases (IAP) to assist players in completing the game, but avoid preventing them from progressing without payment.

• Strive for a balance where harder tasks require more effort, but not to the point where players must pay to progress.

Strategizing Monetization from Day One

This section emphasizes the importance of planning and implementing monetization strategies early on in game development.

Deep Integration with App UX

• The best performing ad units are those that are deeply integrated with the app's user experience.

• Similarly, in-app purchases should be seamlessly integrated into the gameplay experience.

Analytics and Data-driven Decisions

• Make investments into analytics early on to understand user behavior and preferences.

• Use data-driven decisions to create a monetization strategy that aligns with users' wants and needs.

Determining Goals with Ads

• Define your goals for incorporating ads into your game. Consider whether you want to focus on revenue generation or enhancing user experience.

Conclusion

The transcript provides insights into monetization strategies for hyper-casual games, including implementing different types of ads, teaching users about monetization models, avoiding pay-to-win mechanics, strategizing from day one, and prioritizing user experience. By following these guidelines, developers can create engaging games while effectively monetizing their products.

The Importance of Simple Game Design

This section emphasizes the importance of keeping game design simple, especially in the early stages when users are still learning how to play. It suggests using rewarded videos as a way for users to continue playing after losing a level, rather than implementing complex features like battle passes or intricate reward systems.

Simplify Game Design for Early Levels

• Keeping the game loop simple and allowing users to watch rewarded videos to continue playing is more effective than introducing complicated features.

• Users in the beginning stages are focused on learning how to play, so it's important to keep the gameplay straightforward and intuitive.

Balancing Creativity and Business Needs

• Designing the monetization model should be balanced with creative aspects.

• Success should be viewed beyond just selling a lot of games upon release.

• Better art and gameplay can drive engagement further.

• Choose tools that help achieve creative goals efficiently without necessarily being expensive.

Time Management and Tools

• Use time management apps like Trello to track and manage tasks effectively.

• Trello allows creating notes, tasks, checklists, reminders, references, and organizing them according to individual preferences.

• Efficient use of tools like Trello helps manage priorities, avoid scope creep, and track time spent on different tasks.

Finding Support in Game Development Journey

• Join the Askgamedev Discord server for an active community that provides support and discussions related to game development.

• Link provided in the video description.

Shifting Viewpoint of Success in Game Development

This section highlights the need for a shift in perspective regarding success in game development. It suggests focusing on long-term stability rather than expecting immediate success upon release. It also emphasizes maintaining quality standards while staying open to new monetization ideas.

Rethinking Success in Game Development

• The days of releasing a game and achieving immediate success are largely over.

• Long-term stability should be prioritized over short-term success.

• Success should be viewed as a continuous life cycle rather than a one-time event.

Balancing Business Goals and Creativity

• Design the game to be exciting and fun, incorporating pause points where ads can be added without negatively impacting the user experience.

• Monetization is essential for keeping servers running, so it's important to focus on achievable business goals while maintaining creativity.

Time Management and Tools for Game Development

This section discusses the importance of time management in game development and suggests using tools like Trello to track tasks, manage priorities, and avoid scope creep. It also mentions joining the Askgamedev Discord server for additional support.

Effective Time Management with Trello

• Use apps like Trello to keep track of time dedicated to each task.

• Trello functions as a digital cork board where notes, tasks, checklists, reminders, references can be created and organized according to individual preferences.

• Efficient use of Trello helps manage priorities, avoid scope creep, and track time spent on different tasks.

Finding Support in Game Development Journey

• Join the Askgamedev Discord server for an active community that provides support and discussions related to game development.

• Link provided in the video description.

Achieving Balance between Business Goals and Creativity

This section emphasizes finding a balance between business goals and creativity in game development. It suggests focusing on achievable milestones before exploring new monetization ideas while ensuring quality standards are maintained.

Striking a Balance between Business Goals and Creativity

• Design the game with exciting features that align with user interests.

• Incorporate pause points where ads can be added without negatively impacting the user experience.

• Focus on achievable milestones before exploring new monetization ideas.

• Maintain quality standards while staying open to creative approaches.

Conclusion and Additional Resources

This section concludes the video by summarizing the importance of simple game design, balancing creativity and business needs, effective time management, and finding support in the game development journey. It also mentions additional resources available on mobile game development and concepting a mobile game.

Key Takeaways

• Keep game design simple, especially in early levels.

• Balance creativity with business needs.

• Manage time effectively using tools like Trello.

• Join the Askgamedev Discord server for community support.

Additional Resources

• Mobile Game Development Explained (link provided)

• How to Concept a Mobile Game (link provided)